Thank you for listening to Stigma’s Toll. You have listened to five experts on Substance Use Disorder, and the stigma attached. We have explored different programs that aim to reduce the harm associated with drug use, reduce stigma and help those who use drugs stay as safe as possible. This included the University of Minnesota’s Medical Discovery Team on Addiction, The Steve Rummler Hope Network, Rural Aids Actions Network, a Medication Assisted Treatment program, and the Minnesota Opioid Project.  My hope is that through learning more about Opioid Use Disorder, and the associated program ..read more

For this episode, we will be talking with Amy C. Sullivan,  an independent scholar and college professor. Her Ph.D. in U.S. History from the University of Illinois at Chicago focused on women’s history, children’s history, and the history of medicine. Specific research interests in these areas include the history of drugs, alcohol, addiction, and trauma studies. Her projects center life stories rooted in social change and healing through oral history, public history, and digital archives. Dr. Sullivan has been a Visiting Assistant Professor in the History Department at Macalester College ..read more

I was able to interview Sarah Joy Costello-Fedje for this episode. Sarah Joy has worked in the field of SUD since 2008. She has a Masters in Organizational Leadership, is a Licensed Alcohol and Drug counselor and approved supervisor thought the MN Board of behavioral health. She is a certified brain injury specialist, has DHS approved training in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum disorder and has worked throughout her career with expecting mothers on MAT. She is currently a director of a Medication Assisted Treatment program in the Twin Cities. During our interview, she discussed how MAT is a best practi ..read more

For this episode, we were fortunate enough to have Liz Johnson as our expert, who is dual credentialed as a Certified Medical Assistant and Certified Health Unit Coordinator. She holds a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Healthcare Leadership and Administration from Winona State University and currently teaches health science courses at a local community college, in addition to her work in harm reduction. Liz spent two years working in county government providing MNsure case management and supporting the Public Health Emergency Preparedness team on COVID-19 response until November of 2020 ..read more

For this episode, the expert on this topic is Alicia House, who is the executive director of the Steve Rummler Hope Network. She is currently a member of the opioid epidemic response council in Minnesota and found her passion working in Opioid Use Disorder treatment in 2017. She has held a variety of positions as an Intake Director, Outreach Director and managing sober living homes. She specializes in building and maintaining relationships, outreach efforts, client care and marketing. Alicia received her B.A. in English with an emphasis on composition, literature and cultural studies from the ..read more

For the scientific background regarding Opioid Use Disorder, the expert is Dr. Mark Thomas who is a professor of neuroscience and director of the Medical Discovery Team on Addiction, a new research program funded by the Minnesota legislature to fuel cross-disciplinary collaborations and discover new treatment options. His research examines how addictive drugs alter the brain and how these changes can lead to compulsive drug use. His lab is now focusing on ways to disrupt addiction relapse. This team researches addiction and are trying to find new ways to treat it. During our interview, Dr. Mar ..read more

This introductory episode, will explain why it is important to learn about Opioid Use Disorder, and why we must fight against the stigma that is attached.  References Chappell, B. (2021, July 14). Drug Overdoses Killed A Record Number Of Americans In 2020, Jumping By Nearly 30%. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2021/07/14/1016029270/drug-overdoses-killed-a-record-number-of-americans-in-2020-jumping-by-nearly-30 Earnshaw, V. A. (2020). Stigma and substance use disorders: A clinical, research, and advocacy agenda. American Psychologist, 75(9), 1300–1311. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000744 Mitch ..read more

Thank you for listening to Stigma’s Toll. You have listened to five experts on Substance Use Disorder, and the stigma attached. We have explored different programs that aim to reduce the harm associated with drug use, reduce stigma and help those who use drugs stay as safe as possible. This included the University of Minnesota’s Medical Discovery Team on Addiction, The Steve Rummler Hope Network, Rural Aids Actions Network, a Medication Assisted Treatment program, and the Minnesota Opioid Project.  My hope is that through learning more about Opioid Use Disorder, and the associated program ..read more

For this episode, we will be talking with Amy C. Sullivan,  an independent scholar and college professor. Her Ph.D. in U.S. History from the University of Illinois at Chicago focused on women’s history, children’s history, and the history of medicine. Specific research interests in these areas include the history of drugs, alcohol, addiction, and trauma studies. Her projects center life stories rooted in social change and healing through oral history, public history, and digital archives. Dr. Sullivan has been a Visiting Assistant Professor in the History Department at Macalester College ..read more

I was able to interview Sarah Joy Costello-Fedje for this episode. Sarah Joy has worked in the field of SUD since 2008. She has a Masters in Organizational Leadership, is a Licensed Alcohol and Drug counselor and approved supervisor thought the MN Board of behavioral health. She is a certified brain injury specialist, has DHS approved training in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum disorder and has worked throughout her career with expecting mothers on MAT. She is currently a director of a Medication Assisted Treatment program in the Twin Cities. During our interview, she discussed how MAT is a best practi ..read more